Ukraine Restores Full Starlink Speeds After Weeklong Front-Line Disruption
Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara confirms stable connections for drones moving over 250 mph, ending operational limits that disrupted missions.
By Larissa Shah ·
Ukrainian forces have regained full access to high-speed Starlink satellite connections, ending a week of restrictions that hampered front-line operations. Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara announced the restoration on Saturday, stating that monitoring systems now show stable links for equipment moving at speeds greater than 250 mph.
The service limits forced Ukrainian commanders to adjust tactics, leading to lost drones and disrupted missions. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that checks verified both standard Starlink and the military-grade Starshield service are now running at correct speeds. He noted that the restoration began last night, with sufficient speeds available by morning for logistical and defensive uses.
Zelenskyy emphasized the critical nature of the fix for protecting Ukrainian positions against reactive Shahed drones, which are Iranian-made and regularly launched by Russia. The rapid movement of these assets requires reliable, high-bandwidth connectivity to coordinate defenses and offensive strikes effectively.
The return to full service coincides with renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war. U.S. envoys have pushed for a resolution, resulting in an agreement for Russia to resume three-way negotiations with Washington and Kyiv next month. Additionally, Kyiv and Moscow agreed to a localized ceasefire around Oleshky, a Russian-occupied town in the Kherson region, a truce brokered by First Lady Melania Trump.
The weeklong disruption strained the relationship between Kyiv and Washington. Tensions were already high following President Donald Trump’s reported deal with Moscow regarding Russian diesel imports, a move Ukraine viewed as a betrayal. Khmara attributed the resolution to direct dialogue and Zelenskyy’s diplomacy with the United States.
Khmara stated that the restored connection is vital for military drones, logistics, and communications. Zelenskyy thanked American partners for taking the issue seriously. Questions remain regarding who ordered the interruptions to the system built by Elon Musk’s company. Trump has maintained he did not make the call, while insisting Musk should not be blamed for the episode.
